NEW 2010 - Lionfish SMASH!? or put some Volatins in your Vodka?

[Danimal8199]

It was only 3 or so inches a really little guy. I'm not sure what the potency of their venom is when they are that small, but if they are like snakes then it can still be very painful. Kids don't know any better either and they were trying to play with it. At that size I remember that the spines/frills were not very pronounced but none the less it really stood out and was 100% a lion fish.

[ricki]

Originally Posted by Danimal8199

It was only 3 or so inches a really little guy. I'm not sure what the potency of their venom is when they are that small, but if they are like snakes then it can still be very painful. Kids don't know any better either and they were trying to play with it. At that size I remember that the spines/frills were not very pronounced but none the less it really stood out and was 100% a lion fish.

Interesting story, thanks for posting it. Yours is the first story I've heard about them hanging out in sargassum mats. Fry of numerous species are distributed all over in that fashion. Do they even have sargassum mats or equivalent in the Indo Pacific? Or has our boy Volatins adopted not only a new ocean but means of distribution in their invasion?

Anyone going to Bimini? Thinking about it myself.



This one was cruising along in about 15 ft. of water off Great Stirrup in the Berrys last year

[kent]

I'm heading over if the sea conditions allow. Boy, if that little bugger is swimming that close to me on May 2nd, he'll be dancing on the end of my spear!

They actually have a chef coming over to teach us how to cook these guys. I guess that they taste pretty good. It's different from Blow fish for example in that the poison is only in the barbs and not actually in the fish.

May is a great time for the Bahamas, I can't wait.

[ricki]

Originally Posted by kent

I'm heading over if the sea conditions allow. Boy, if that little bugger is swimming that close to me on May 2nd, he'll be dancing on the end of my spear!

They actually have a chef coming over to teach us how to cook these guys. I guess that they taste pretty good. It's different from Blow fish for example in that the poison is only in the barbs and not actually in the fish.

May is a great time for the Bahamas, I can't wait.

Sounds like a plan and hope the wx cooperates for your crossings. Yes, preparing blowfish can be a dodgy proposition. Slice a bit too deep or in the wrong area and instant toxin tainted fillets. As I recall, the symptoms victims exhibit helped a roving researcher doped out some of the active ingredients in "zombie powder" in Haiti. Not only did the cookers use blowfish venom but also strong alkaloids from toads. Hey, no toad licking here!

May have posted this before, it is pretty amusing and I usually avoid cooking shows like the plague. Still, it shows one means of culinary conquest of the Volatins.



Somebody wrote lionfish taste like grouper?! Could be a whole new market. Hey Kent, they got zombie powder at Bimini Bay for guests? Bomba Shack has full moon mushroom tea, could start a fad.